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The observed heights of the sun were measured for the different latitudes by early scientists, and were found to be very predictable. For any given day of the year, the observed height of the sun at its highest point in the day was found to be the same along a given parallel of latitude. So these measurements were charted, so that anyone that measured the sun's height at its highest point, could easily determine their latitude. Using these charts, even the early navigators were able to determine their parallels of latitude.
Christopher Columbus may have used this technique to follow a straight path across the Atlantic in 1492 when he discovered America. But this technique was in use even before that. |
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